﻿<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />
    <meta name="keywords" content="ACA, ACA Perambur, Perambur, Jesus, Christ, Christian, Pentecostal, Praise, Worship, God, Holy Spirit" />
    <meta name="robots" content="ALL" />
    <meta name="distribution" content="Global" />
    <meta name="rating" content="General" />
    <meta name="copyright" content="2011 ACA Perambur Ministries" />
    <meta name="generator" content="ACA Perambur Ministries, ACA Perambur, ACA, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, www.acaperamburministries.org, www.acaperamburministries.com, www.acaperamburministries.net" />
    <meta name="author" content="God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit" />
    <meta http-equiv="imagetoolbar" content="no" />
    <title>ACA Perambur Ministries : Home</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/Styles.css" type="text/css" />
    <!--<link rel="stylesheet" href="CSS/jMenu.jquery.css" type="text/css" />-->
    <script type="text/javascript" src="../JS/jquery.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" src="../JS/jquery-ui.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" src="../JS/jMenu.jquery.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function () {
            $("#jMenu").jMenu({
                ulWidth: 'auto',
                effects: {
                    effectSpeedOpen: 300,
                    effectSpeedClose: 300,
                    effectTypeOpen: 'slide',
                    effectTypeClose: 'slide',
                    effectOpen: 'linear',
                    effectClose: 'linear'
                },
                TimeBeforeOpening: 100,
                TimeBeforeClosing: 400,
                animatedText: false,
                paddingLeft: 1
            });
        })
    </script>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/default/default.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/pascal/pascal.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/nivo-slider.css" type="text/css" media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/themes/orman/orman.css" type="text/css"
        media="screen" />
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/nivo/nivo-slider.css" type="text/css" media="screen" />
    <style type="text/css">
        /* CSS for the scrollers */
        .scrolling-text-container
        {
            position: relative;
            display: block;
            overflow: hidden;
            height: 140px;
        }
        .scrolling-text
        {
            margin-top: 30px;
            padding-top: 30px;
            position: absolute;
            white-space: nowrap;
        }
        
        
        /* ---------- gallery styles start here ----------------------- */
        .photo
        {
            list-style: none;
            margin: 0;
            padding: 0;
        }
        .photo img
        {
            background: #fff;
            border: solid 1px #ccc;
            padding: 4px;
        }
        .photo span
        {
            width: 77px;
            height: 27px;
            display: block;
            position: absolute;
            top: -12px;
            left: 50px;
            background: url(images/tape.png) no-repeat;
        }
        .photo a
        {
            text-decoration: none;
        }
    </style>
    <script src="../JS/jquery.Scroller-1.0.src.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function () {
            //create a vertical scroller...	
            $('.scrolling-text-container').SetScroller({ velocity: 40, direction: 'vertical' });
        });
    </script>
    <!--[if lt IE 7]>
<style type="text/css">

  .photo span { behavior: url(../Styles/iepngfix.htc); }

</style>
<![endif]-->
</head>
<body>
    <div id="general">
        <!-- HEADER -->
        <div id="header">
            <!-- search -->
            <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="display: none;">
                <tr>
                    <td>
                        <div class="search1">
                            <input type="text" class="search" name="search" value="Enter keyword or search term" />
                        </div>
                    </td>
                    <td>
                        <input type="submit" class="search2" name="search2" value="" />
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
            <!-- #search -->
            <!-- LOGO -->
            <div id="logo">
            </div>
            <!-- #LOGO -->
            <!-- MENÜ -->
            <!--<div id="menu">
    <ul>
        <li><a href="#">Home</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Produtcs</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Services</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Blog</a></li>
        <li><a href="About.html">About Us</a></li>
        <li><a href="#">Contact Us</a></li>
    </ul>
</div>-->
            <!--jQuery menu from http://www.myjqueryplugins.com/jMenu-->
            <ul id="jMenu">
                <li class="arrow"><a class="fNiv" href="../Default.aspx">Home</a></li>
                <li class="arrow"><a class="fNiv" href="Gospel.html">Gospel</a></li>
                <li><a class="fNiv" href="ResourceHistory.html">Resources</a>
                    <ul>
                        <li class="arrow"></li>
                        <li><a href="ResourceHistory.html#message">Message for Messengers</a></li>
                        <li><a href="ResourceHistory.html#thank">Think and Thank</a></li>
                        <li><a href="ResourceHistory.html#spouse">Spice for Spouse</a></li>
                        <li><a href="ResourceHistory.html#women">Wisdom for Women</a></li>
                        <li><a href="ResourceHistory.html#news">News for Use</a></li>
                        <li><a href="ResourceHistory.html#youth">Truth for Youth</a></li><li><a href="ResourceHistory.html#bulletin">
                            Church Bulletin </a></li>
                        <!--<li><a>Category 2.2</a>
                            <ul>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                            </ul>
                        </li>
                        <li><a>Category 2.2</a>
                            <ul>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                            </ul>
                        </li>
                        <li><a>Category 2.2</a>
                            <ul>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                                <li><a>Category 2.3</a></li>
                            </ul>
                        </li>
                        <li><a>Category 2.2</a></li>-->
                    </ul>
                </li>
                <li><a class="fNiv" href="schedule.html">Schedule/ Events</a>
                    <ul>
                        <li class="arrow"></li>
                        <li><a href="Schedule.html">Schedule of Services</a></li>
                        <li><a href="EventInfo.html">Events</a></li>
                    </ul>
                </li>
                <li><a class="fNiv" href="Ministries.html">Ministries</a>
                    <ul>
                        <li class="arrow"></li>
                        <li><a href="PaulMissionary.html">Paul Missionary</a></li>
                        <li><a href="goodsamaritan.html">Good Samaritan</a></li>
                        <li><a href="judah.html">Judah Worship</a></li>
                        <li><a href="gyf.html">Gideon Youth Team</a></li>
                        <li><a href="Literature.html">Word of Life Literature</a></li>
                        <li><a href="sundayschool.html">Shiloh Sunday School</a></li>
                        <li><a href="nehemiah.html">Nehemiah Chain Prayer</a></li>
                        <li><a href="cellgrp.html">Cell Group</a></li>
                        <li><a href="councel.html">Divine Counselling</a></li>
                        <li><a href="sisters.html">Sisters' Fellowship</a></li>
                    </ul>
                </li>
                <li><a href="vision.html" class="fNiv">Vision</a></li>
                <li><a class="fNiv" href="Contact.html">Contact</a>
                    <ul>
                        <li class="arrow"></li>
                        <li><a href="../email.aspx">Email Us</a></li>
                        <li><a href="Contact.html">Contact Details</a></li>
                        <li><a href="About.html">About Us</a></li>
                        <li><a href="PastorProfile.html">Pastor's Profile</a></li>
                    </ul>
                </li>
            </ul>
            <!-- #MENÜ -->
        </div>
        <br />
        <!-- #HEADER -->
        <div class="clear">
        </div>
        <!-- Content -->
        <div id="content">
            <br />
            <!-- full -->
            <div id="full" style="background-image: url(../Images/white.png); height: 100%;">
                <div id="full_content" class="para_content">
                    <h1>
                        Message For Messengers</h1>
                    <img src="../Images/msgscrol.png" alt="Message" style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;" />
                    <p class="para">
                        <strong>Pursuing The Prize ( Philippians 3:12-16 )</strong></p>
                    <p>
                        Paul says although he would have more reasons than anyone else to have confidence
                        in the flesh, he will not and cannot because everything outside Christ is dung or
                        rubbish!</p>
                    <p>
                        His overwhelming desire is to be found in Christ. He seeks righteousness in Christ
                        through faith. Paul seeks this and exhorts all to do the same. This brings us to
                        our text. Paul says that he has not yet received what he longs to experience, does
                        not completely know Christ in this fashion and he has not yet received the resurrection
                        from the dead. Therefore, he chooses three things:</p>
                    <p>
                        <b>I. Following the purpose</b></p>
                    <p>
                        Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but
                        I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold
                        of me.”</p>
                    <p>
                        Paul has a goal. He has determined to satisfy this ambition. His goal is not physical.
                        His goal is not health and wealth. His goal is not materialistic. His goal is neither
                        political nor occupational.. His goal was not early retirement. His goal was not
                        a PhD. His goal was not a perfect family. He was not after fame or fortune. He refused
                        to major on the minors and minor on the majors. Paul's desire was an echo of Christ,
                        “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
                        shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33).</p>
                    <p>
                        Following the purpose requires the proper mentality. You can't allow worldly wisdom
                        to shape your mentality. Like Paul, we must be open to the reality of our own imperfections.
                        He says, 'Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected.' In other words,
                        Paul did not yet possess his purpose and he was not complete. The consummation of
                        his character was incomplete. God was still working in him. However, Paul was not
                        down on himself. Paul did not kick himself because he was not perfect. Paul did
                        not suffer from neurotic guilt. Paul's imperfection served as his motivation. Paul
                        was not perfect but he lived as if he would be perfect one day.</p>
                    <p>
                        Like Paul, we need to press on! He was motivated and dedicated to his pursuit of
                        the purpose. Paul is like a long distance runner. He is constantly moving forward.
                        He follows Christ with an unquenchable desire. He wants Christ for himself. This
                        goal was given to him by the Lord. Paul says, 'that I may lay hold of that for which
                        Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me!'</p>
                    <p>
                        <b>II. Forgetting the past</b></p>
                    <p>
                        Philippians 3:13 “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing
                        I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things
                        which are ahead.”</p>
                    <p>
                        Paul boils it down to a singular pursuit. He says, 'but one thing I do, forgetting
                        those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.'
                        He does not have divided loyalties. He only had one thing! Satan knows he can defeat
                        us, if he is able to divide us! No man can serve two masters (Luke 16:13). Paul
                        could not remain loyal to Judaism and Christianity. Paul could not serve the Law
                        of Moses and Grace of Christ. Jesus also said, you don't put new wine into old wine
                        skins! Paul was forgetting those things, which were behind! It does not mean cauterizing
                        the memory. It means the passionate and relentless effort to focus all of the energies
                        on present progress rather than on the past. If we are going to pursue the prize
                        in 2009 we must forget 2008!</p>
                    <p>
                        <b>III. Focusing on the prize</b></p>
                    <p>
                        Philippians 4:14-16 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of
                        God in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind;
                        and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless,
                        to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us
                        be of the same mind.”</p>
                    <p>
                        Like a runner with a singular vision, Paul had his eye on the prize. His focus was
                        on the prize. Paul desperately wanted the transformation of his physical body. He
                        spoke of the Lord saying, 'who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed
                        to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue
                        all things to Himself' (3:21). Furthermore, Paul's hope was verified by his words
                        to the Romans, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the
                        image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Paul aspired
                        something 'undefiled and incorruptible.' Paul wanted something eternal. Paul desied
                        to be with Christ. Paul craved to be delivered from the body of this death. He longed
                        for a place of no sin. He wished to be rid of that sinful, fleshly disposition.
                        He longed to be in a place where there where no thorns in the flesh and no messengers
                        from Satan. He wanted to be in a place where there would be no shipwrecks, no prison
                        cells, and no perils. We are urged to share this focus. If we don't see it now,
                        God will reveal it to us. However, we should serve Him now according to the degree
                        we have already attained. God's children are now being sanctified. We are on our
                        way to glory. We just need to pursue the prize!</p>
                    <p>
                        <b>Closing</b></p>
                    <p>
                        Like Paul we must follow the purpose, forget the past, and focus on the prize!</p>
                </div>
            </div>
            <!-- #full -->
        </div>
        <!-- #Content -->
        <div class="clear">
        </div>
        <!-- FOOTER -->
        <div id="footer">
            <!-- POWERED -->
            <!--<div id="powered">
                <span>Powered By WordPress</span></div>-->
            <!-- #POWERED -->
            <!-- Copyright -->
            <div id="copy">
                &copy; ACA Perambur Ministries. All Rights Reserved | <a href="About.html">About Us</a>
                | <a href="PastorProfile.html">Pastor's Profile</a> | <a href="tenets.html">Tenets of
                    Faith</a> | <a href="vision.html">Vision of our Mission </a>| <a href="Contact.html">
                        Contact</a>
            </div>
            <!-- #Copyright -->
        </div>
        <!-- #FOOTER -->
    </div>
</body>
</html>
